BATEXPO 2026, the largest international exhibition of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, will take place on November 18–19 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), with PDS Limited joining the event as title sponsor.
One of the main attractions of this year’s BATEXPO will be the prestigious Sustainability Leadership (TSL) Award, recognising outstanding contributions to sustainability initiatives, technological innovation and other key areas of the apparel industry.
The awards will be presented by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) through the German-based international development organisation GIZ’s STILE II project, with support from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Commerce.
A total of 12 initiatives making outstanding contributions across four categories will receive the awards. The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has expressed his kind consent to attend the ceremony as chief guest and present the honours to the winners.
Over the past decade, Bangladesh’s apparel industry has strengthened its global reputation through safe working environments, strict compliance and sustained efforts.
The main objective of the TSL Award is to bring these achievements into public view and celebrate them appropriately rather than allowing them to remain unnoticed. The platform identifies and recognises the best sustainability practices in the country’s apparel and textile sectors.
It honours pioneering organisations that are quietly reshaping the concept of modern factories through worker-friendly working environments, environmental leadership, innovation and efforts to address emerging challenges.
In the global apparel industry, addressing climate change, reducing carbon emissions, recycling, promoting the circular economy and operating energy-efficient green factories are no longer optional trends. They have become essential requirements for remaining competitive in international markets.
These initiatives are expected to elevate the Made in Bangladesh brand image as a more responsible and environmentally friendly sourcing destination.
Four main award categories
The awards will cover four principal categories, each comprising three award areas:
1. People First: Worker welfare, Model Factory, Women in Leadership and Community Champion.
2. Planet Positive: Sustainability Leader of the Year, Water Guardian and Circular Textile Pioneer.
3. Next Frontier: Business Innovator of the Year, Future-Ready Award and Worker-Centric Innovation.
4. Rising Strength: Small Factory Big Impact, Resourceful Innovation and Growing Responsibility Award for the SME sector.
Winners will receive Platinum, Gold and Silver honours across three levels.
BGMEA Sustainability Committee Chairman Mahmud Hasan Khan said:
“As the global apparel industry’s demands change, our factories are establishing unique examples in greening and innovation. The Sustainability Leadership Award will highlight the contributions of these visionary entrepreneurs and factories at national and international levels, making the entire sector more competitive.”
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Dr. Michael Klode, project manager of the German development organisation GIZ Bangladesh’s Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Industries (STILE/STILE II) project, said:
“We are delighted to be associated with the ‘Sustainability Leadership (TSL) Award 2026’ at BGMEA BATEXPO 2026, continuing our long-standing partnership with BGMEA.
“Building on previous collaborations, including the Social and Environmental Excellence Awards in 2012 and 2014 and the TSL Award in 2022, this initiative recognises factories demonstrating leadership and innovation in environmental sustainability, social responsibility and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
“We hope this award will further promote sustainability practices and contribute to making Bangladesh’s apparel sector more responsible, resilient and globally competitive.”
Shariful Islam, founder and managing director of Bangladesh Brand Forum, said:
“Sustainability is not a luxury or an imported concept for us; it is a condition for our survival. Overcoming the multiple challenges of rivers and climate, millions of workers, a large proportion of whom are women, have built our apparel industry into a backbone of the economy.
“As the country enters a new era of global competition, the TSL Award honours those visionary factories that see responsibility towards people and nature as a symbol of national pride. When they lead, ‘Made in Bangladesh’ becomes more than a label; it becomes a promise.”